Bell-cord coupling



(No Model.)

G. WOOD.

BELL 00m) COUPLING. No. 341,301. Patented May 4, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE XV. VOOD, OF BUFFALO, NEW' YORK.

BELL-CORD COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,301, dated May 4,1886.

Application filed March 6,1886. Serial No.194,310. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. XVoon, of the city of Buffalo, in thecounty of Erie and Stateof New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Bell-00rd Couplings, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an improvement in the bell-cord couplingswhich are used on railway-cars for connecting the ends of the differentsections or lengths of the bell-cord,whieh extends from thelocomotive-cab to'the rear end of the train. The couplings now employedfor this purpose consist of two interlocking metallic hooks having eyesor sockets in which the ends of the cord are fastened. These couplingsare objectionable, for the reason that it frequently happens during themaking up of a train or when pulling quickly on a slack cord that thecoupling will strike against the inside of the cars and mar, indent, ordisfigure the polished panels of the cars or break the glass of mirrors,doors, &c. The couplings are also liable to strike persons and causeserious injury.

The object of my invention is to construct a coupling which willovercome these difficulties; and it consists in providing the couplingwith a cushion of rubber or other soft or elastic material, as will behereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of myimproved coupling connecting the ends of two bell cords. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a cross-section, through one of myimproved couplings.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the coupling-hooks, which are of the usual form, and eachprovided with a slot or opening, a, whereby it is coupled with theadjoining hook.

1) represents a shank formed on one end of each hook A, and providedwith an eye or loop, 0, through which the end of the bell-cord ispassed, and whereby the cord is fastened to the coupling; or, ifpreferred, the shank b may be provided with a socket, in which the endof the cord is secured.

D represents a projecting cushion or collar, of rubber or other softelastic material,arranged upon the shank I) between the hook A and theloop 1:. The cushion D is provided with a central opening, through whichthe shank 1) passes. The outer end of the shank b,which projects beyondthe end of the cushion D, is enlarged or flattened to form the loop a.The opening or hole in the cushion D, which receives the shank b, ismade smaller in diameter than the shank, so that the cushion will holditself tightly on the shank. The elasticity of the cushion permits theshank to be driven into the opening of the cushion. The latter is muchlarger in diameter than the hook A and loop 0, so that the cushionprojects on all sides beyond the metallic parts of the coupling, andprevents such parts from strikin g against objects or persons, therebyforming an eflicient guard for the purpose.

The guards or collars D are preferably made tapering from the hookstoward the eyes 0, as

shown, so that the guards will readily pass through the openings whichare provided in the cars for the passage of the bell-rope.

My improvement is very efficient, simplein construction, and easilyapplied at small cost.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with a metallic couplingfor ropes or cords, of a projecting guard, D, of soft material.substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a metallic coupling-hook, A,provided with ashank, b, of a projecting guard, I), of yielding material, ap plied tosaid shank, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a metallic coupling-hook, A, provided with ashank, I), having an end enlargement, c, of aperforatcd collar, D, ofsoft elastic material, substantially as set forth.

\Vitness my hand this 3d day of March, 1886.

GEO. W. WOOD.

Witnesses:

J NO. J. BONNER, OSCAR SCHAUB.

